Haptics for touch-input hardware interfaces of a game controller

ABSTRACT

A handheld game controller having a handle and a bumper assembly on the handle. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and a haptic actuator. The bumper is configured to accept touch inputs from a user. The haptic actuator includes at least one plate and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is configured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause the at least one plate and the bumper to vibrate.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 17/504,299 filed Oct. 18, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 16/808,339 filed Mar. 3, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.11,389,721. application Ser. Nos. 16/808,339 and 17/504,299 are eachincorporated into the present disclosure by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter is related to an apparatus and methods for providinghaptic feedback in a handheld game controller.

BACKGROUND

A game controller is a device used to provide input to a video game, forexample to control an object or character in the video game. The videogame may be running on a computer, a specially designed gaming system,or a mobile device.

In today's electronic gaming entertainment, haptic engines for gamecontrollers are widely used to increase feelings immersion within thevideo game. When a user-controlled video-game character opens a virtualdoor in game, this action can be assigned through hooks in the gamesoftware to actuate haptic feedback within the gaming device. Thetactile sensation in the game player's fingertip is interpreted by thegame player's brain to associate it with, in this example, the heft ofthe door opening. This helps to promote immersion of the game playerinto the game.

Conventional haptic engines for game controllers are generally of twotypes: eccentric rotating mass (ERM) and linear resonant actuator (LRA).The ERM-type of haptic engine includes a mass attached to a motor shaft,where the mass is not evenly distributed around the shaft. Thus, whenthe motor shaft rotates the mass, it causes the device to which the ERMhaptic engine is attached to shake. The LRA-type of haptic enginecreates vibration by moving a mass in a reciprocal manner by means of avoice-coil drive pushing the mass against a spring. The spring tends toresist the motion of the mass and push the mass back toward its startingpoint.

Configurations of the disclosed technology address shortcomings in theprior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handheld game controller, according toan example configuration, and illustrating an example mobile device thatis secured within the handheld game controller.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the game controller of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front view of the handheld game controller of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a top view of the handheld game controller of FIG. 1 , shownin an example extended position.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the handheld game controller of FIG. 1 , shownin an example retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1 , illustratingan example haptic actuator embedded in the touch-input hardwareinterface.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1 , illustratingan example haptic actuator in direct, physical contact with thetouch-input hardware interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described herein, aspects are directed to an apparatus and method forproviding haptic feedback in a handheld game controller. Inconfigurations, a handheld game controller includes a haptic actuator aspart of the assembly for a touch-input hardware interface. Thetouch-input hardware interface may be, for example, a bumper or trigger,and other examples are noted below. The haptic actuator includes apiezoelectric actuator that provides haptic feedback to the user throughthe touch-input hardware interface (e.g., the bumper or trigger).Additionally, configurations include capacitive touch sensor to engageand disengage the piezoelectric actuator in response to the user'stouch. Also, in configurations having more than one piezoelectricactuator on a given touch-input hardware interface (e.g., a bumper ortrigger), the separate piezoelectric actuators may be engagedsimultaneously or at separate times (and perhaps in a certain sequence)to provide different types of haptic feedback to the user's finger. Inaddition to the benefits just noted, configurations of the disclosedtechnology help to differentiate haptics coming from a haptic engine inthe mobile device from the haptics generated from within the gamecontroller. This is accomplished by, for example, focusing the hapticfeedback on a particular part of the game controller, such as aparticular bumper or trigger.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing portions of a handheld gamecontroller, according to an example configuration. FIG. 2 is a topperspective view of the game controller of FIG. 1 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a game controller 100 may include afirst handle 101, a second handle 102, and a bridge 119. Each of thefirst handle 101 and the second handle 102 is configured to contact andsupport a mobile device 199, though not all contemplated embodimentswill include the second handle 102. An exemplary mobile device 199 isshown in broken lines to illustrate how the game controller 100 maycontact and support a mobile device 199 in some embodiments. The mobiledevice 199 may be, as examples, a smartphone or a tablet computer.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first handle 101 includes a guideportion 113 and a main body portion 105. The guide portion 113 extendsfrom the main body portion 105 and along a first end 115 of the span 120of the bridge 119. The guide portion 113 of the first handle 101 isconfigured to align the bridge 119 with the main body portion 105 of thefirst handle 101.

As illustrated, the first handle 101 includes a user-accessible, firsthardware interface 103 on the main body portion 105 of the first handle101. The first hardware interface 103 could be a button, a bumper, atrigger, an analog stick, a touchscreen, a touchpad, a knob, a slider, aswitch, a wheel, a dial, a directional pad, or another such featureconfigured to accept touch inputs from a user's finger or a stylus. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first hardware interface 103 may includemultiple such hardware interfaces.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2 , the user-accessible, first hardwareinterface 103 may include a first touch-input hardware interface 129coupled to the first handle 101. The first touch-input hardwareinterface 129 is configured to accept touch inputs from a user. Forexample, the user might depress the first touch-input hardware interface129 with the user's index finger or middle finger. As illustrated, thefirst touch-input hardware interface 129 may be at a top edge 131 of themain body portion 105 of the first handle 101. The main body portion 105is confined by a housing 132 of the first handle 101. As illustrated inthe drawings, in configurations the first touch-input hardware interface129 projects from the housing 132 of the first handle 101. The firsttouch-input hardware interface 129 may be, for example, a bumper ortrigger, or it may be one of the other features noted above for thefirst hardware interface 103 that are configured to accept touch inputsfrom a user's finger or a stylus. Typically, though, the firsttouch-input hardware interface 129 is a mechanical input device, such asa button, a bumper, a trigger, an analog stick, a knob, a slider, aswitch, a wheel, a dial, or a directional pad.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, the second handle 102 likewiseincludes a guide portion 114 and a main body portion 106. The guideportion 114 extends from the main body portion 106 and along a secondend 116 of the span 120 of the bridge 119. The guide portion 114 of thesecond handle 102 is configured to align the bridge 119 with the mainbody portion 106 of the second handle 102.

As illustrated, the second handle 102 further includes auser-accessible, second hardware interface 104 on the main body portion106 of the second handle 102. As above for the first hardware interface103 of the first handle 101, the second hardware interface 104 could bea button, a bumper, a trigger, an analog stick, a touchscreen, atouchpad, a knob, a slider, a switch, a wheel, a dial, a directionalpad, or another such feature configured to accept touch inputs from auser's finger or a stylus. The second hardware interface 104 may includemultiple such hardware interfaces, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

As best illustrated in FIG. 2 , the user-accessible, second hardwareinterface 104 may include a second touch-input hardware interface 154coupled to the second handle 102. The second touch-input hardwareinterface 154 is configured to accept touch inputs from a user asdescribed above for the first touch-input hardware interface 129. Asillustrated, the second touch-input hardware interface 154 may be at atop edge of the main body portion 106 of the second handle 102. The mainbody portion 106 is confined by a housing 133 of the second handle 102.As illustrated in the drawings, in configurations the second touch-inputhardware interface 154 projects from the housing 133 of the secondhandle 102. The second touch-input hardware interface 154 may be, forexample, a bumper or trigger, or it may be one of the other featuresnoted above for the second hardware interface 104 that are configured toaccept touch inputs from a user's finger or a stylus. Typically, though,the second touch-input hardware interface 154 is a mechanical inputdevice, such as a button, a bumper, a trigger, an analog stick, a knob,a slider, a switch, a wheel, a dial, or a directional pad.

One or both of the first handle 101 and the second handle 102 mayinclude a connector 125 for physical and electrical connection to themobile device 199. The connector 125 may be, for example, a USB-Cconnector.

It is noted that each of FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5 includes indicationsshowing the directions of mutually orthogonal x-, y-, and z-axes. Theseare used to orient the reader and to assist with the descriptions of theillustrated configurations. Accordingly, the bridge 119 lies in the x-yplane as illustrated, and the intended gameplay position of the mobiledevice 199 is substantially parallel to the x-y plane of the bridge 119,such as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5 . As used in this context,“substantially parallel” means largely or essentially equidistant fromthe x-y plane at all points, without requiring perfect parallelism.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the handheld game controller of FIG. 1 . FIG.4 is a top view of the handheld game controller of FIG. 1 , shown in anexample extended position. And FIG. 5 is a top view of the handheld gamecontroller of FIG. 1 , shown in an example retracted position. FIGS. 3-5illustrate an example of how a mobile device 199 may be installed intothe game controller 100. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the mobile device199 may be placed over the bridge 119, between the first handle 101 andthe second handle 102 of the game controller 100. The connector 125 ofthe game controller 100 may be joined with a corresponding connector onthe mobile device 199. FIG. 4 shows an example of an extendedconfiguration of the game controller 100, where the handles are extendedaway from each other a sufficient distance to allow the mobile device199 to be inserted. In FIG. 5 , the mobile device 199 is secured betweenthe first handle 101 and the second handle 102 of the game controller100. FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate an example of a retracted configuration ofthe game controller 100, where the handles are retracted toward eachother such that the mobile device 199 contacts the contact zone(explained below). The extended configuration and the retractedconfiguration of the game controller 100 are described in more detailbelow.

Hence, as illustrated the bridge 119 is in sliding engagement with thefirst handle 101. In the illustrated configuration, the bridge 119 isnot telescoping, meaning that segments of the bridge 119 do not slidewithin another segment of the bridge 119 to allow for lengthening orshortening of the bridge 119. The bridge 119 has a span 120 extendingaway from the main body portion 105 of the first handle 101, and thespan 120 has a transverse midline 121.

The bridge 119 and the first handle 101 are configured to allow the mainbody portion 105 of the first handle 101 to translate in a retractiondirection 122 toward the midline 121 of the bridge 119 and into aretracted configuration, an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 3and 5 . The bridge 119 and the first handle 101 are configured to allowthe main body portion 105 of the first handle 101 to also translate inan extension direction 123 away from the midline 121 of the bridge 119into an extended configuration, an example of which is illustrated inFIG. 4 .

As used in this disclosure, the transverse midline 121 of the bridge 119is a reference datum used to define the extension direction 123 and theretraction direction 122. That is, the retraction direction 122 istoward the transverse midline 121, while the retraction direction 122 isaway from the transverse midline 121. Accordingly, the transversemidline 121 of the bridge 119 may or may not coincide with a physicalstructure on the game controller 100.

Likewise, the bridge 119, as illustrated, is in sliding engagement withthe second handle 102, and the span 120 of the bridge 119 extends awayfrom the main body portion 106 of the second handle 102. The bridge 119and the second handle 102 are configured to allow the main body portion106 of the second handle 102 to translate in the retraction direction122 toward the midline 121 of the bridge 119 and into the retractedconfiguration. The bridge 119 and the second handle 102 are configuredto allow the main body portion 106 of the second handle 102 to alsotranslate in the extension direction 123 away from the midline 121 ofthe bridge 119 into the extended configuration.

In configurations, the bridge 119 is configured such that the firsthandle 101 and the second handle 102 are equidistant from the midline121 of the bridge 119 in the retracted configuration and in the extendedconfiguration. In configurations, the bridge 119 is configured such thatthe first handle 101 and the second handle 102 are equidistant from themidline 121 of the bridge 119 when the first handle 101 and the secondhandle 102 are translating from the retracted configuration to theextended configuration. In configurations, the bridge 119 is configuredsuch that the first handle 101 and the second handle 102 are equidistantfrom the midline 121 of the bridge 119 when the first handle 101 and thesecond handle 102 are translating from the extended configuration to theretracted configuration.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a portion of the second handle 102of FIG. 1 , illustrating an example haptic actuator 109 embedded in thesecond touch-input hardware interface 130. FIG. 7 is a partial sectionalview of a portion of the second handle 102 of FIG. 1 , illustrating anexample haptic actuator 109 in direct, physical contact with the secondtouch-input hardware interface 130. While illustrated and described forthe second handle 102, the discussion of FIGS. 6 and 7 applies also tothe first handle 101. Indeed, the game controller 100 may include atouch-input assembly on one or both handles, namely the firsttouch-input assembly 107, which includes the first touch-input hardwareinterface 129, and the second touch-input assembly 108, which includesthe second touch-input hardware interface 130.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second touch-input assembly 108includes a second touch-input hardware interface 130 and a hapticactuator 109.

The touch-input hardware interface is configured to accept touch inputsfrom a user. In configurations, the touch-input hardware interface maybe, for example, a button, a bumper, a trigger, an analog stick, a knob,a slider, a switch, a wheel, a dial, or a directional pad. In theillustrated configuration, the touch-input hardware interface is abumper or trigger that the user might depress, typically with the user'sindex finger or middle finger.

As illustrated, the haptic actuator 109 includes a first plate 111, asecond plate 112, and a piezoelectric actuator 117. While theillustrated configuration shows two plates, the first plate 111 and thesecond plate 112, some configurations have just one plate and someconfigurations have more than two plates. As illustrated, the firstplate 111, the second plate 112, and the piezoelectric actuator 117 arein layers, with the piezoelectric actuator 117 being between the firstplate 111 and the second plate 112.

The piezoelectric actuator 117, or piezoelectric transducer, isconfigured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electricalsignal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to thefirst plate 111 and the second plate 112, and cause the first plate 111and the second plate 112 to vibrate. The electrical signal to thepiezoelectric actuator 117 may come from, as examples, a processorwithin the game controller 100 or a processor within the mobile device199. The processor within the game controller 100 may be, for example,part of a printed circuit board within the second handle 102. Vibrationof the plates, in turn, causes the second touch-input hardware interface130 to vibrate. Accordingly, the haptic actuator 109 causes hapticvibration without the use of an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) or alinear resonant actuator (LRA). ERM- and LRA-type haptic actuators 109are too bulky for the application described here and would not allow thesecond touch-input assembly 108 (which includes the haptic actuator 109)to translate as a unit relative to the second handle or to focus thehaptic feedback sensation (i.e. the vibrations) to a specific portion ofthe game controller 100, such as to the second touch-input assembly 108.In addition, ERM- and LRA-type haptic actuators 109 require moreelectrical power than the technologies discussed in this disclosure.Thus, the described technologies require less battery power, resultingin longer battery life, less frequent recharging of the battery, andless need to be tethered by a cord to an electrical outlet to providepower to depleted batteries.

In some example configurations, the layers of the haptic actuator 109include a capacitive touch sensor 128, such as a capacitive touch film.The capacitive touch sensor 128 is configured to detect presence of afinger of the user on the second touch-input hardware interface 130.Such capacitive touch sensors 128 typically have a grid of electrodesthat complete an electrical circuit in response to a user's touch.Accordingly, in configurations the haptic actuator 109 is “off” unlessthe capacitive touch sensor 128 detects a user's finger on the secondtouch-input hardware interface 130. If a user's finger is detected, thenthe haptic actuator 109 is “on” and will cause the plate(s) to vibratein response to an electrical signal as described above. In suchconfigurations, battery power may be conserved by not activating thehaptic feedback when the user's finger is not in place on thecorresponding touch-input hardware interface. As illustrated in FIG. 6 ,the capacitive touch sensor 128 may be affixed to the outward surface ofthe second touch-input hardware interface 130. The outward surface isthe surface indicated as including the contact surface area 126 andcoincides with the input surface (which is described below) of thesecond touch-input hardware interface 130. In some exampleconfigurations, the layers of the haptic actuator 109 do not include acapacitive touch sensor 128.

In configurations, the layers of the haptic actuator 109 include aflexible, printed circuit board 110. In configurations, the flexiblecircuit board 110 is connected via a flexible cable to the main circuitboard of the game controller 100. As noted above, that main printedcircuit board may be within the second handle 102, or it may beelsewhere within the game controller 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second touch-input hardwareinterface 130 and the haptic actuator 109 translate as a unit relativeto the handle. To accomplish that, the second touch-input assembly 108is not rigidly coupled to the housing 133 of the second handle 102.Rather, the second touch-input assembly 108 is connected to the housing133 through a non-rigid connection, such as through a pivot rod 124 anda spring 118 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 . As used in this context,a rigid coupling would not allow the coupled components to be movedrelative to each other without causing permanent damage to eithercomponent. Accordingly, in such configurations the second touch-inputassembly 108 is isolated from the main body portion 106 of the secondhandle 106 (because of the lack of a rigid coupling between them) and,likewise, from the remainder of the game controller 100.

As illustrated, a track slot 134 is rigidly coupled to the housing 133,and the second touch-input hardware interface 130 includes a pivot rod124. The pivot rod 124 is configured to engage the track slot 134 of thesecond handle 102. The pivot rod 124 is configured to rotate within thetrack slot 134 and to translate within the track slot 134. Accordingly,the pivot rod 124 and track slot 134 provide a dual-action couplingbetween the second touch-input assembly 108 and the housing 133 of thesecond handle 102, the two actions being rotation and translation. Thespring 118 is configured to bias the second touch-input hardwareinterface 130 into the upward, or undepressed, position, an example ofwhich is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . Hence, in configurations where thehaptic actuator 109 translates as a unit relative to the handle and thetouch-input assembly is connected to the housing 133 through a non-rigidconnection, the haptic feedback provided by the haptic actuator 109 maybe focused on a particular part of the game controller (namely thesecond touch-input hardware interface 130 to which the particular hapticactuator 109 is coupled) rather than the game controller as a whole.

As noted above, FIG. 6 illustrates a haptic actuator 109 that isembedded in the second touch-input hardware interface 130. As used inthis context, “embedded” means that the haptic actuator 109 is snuglyenclosed in the second touch-input hardware interface 130, whichsubstantially surrounds the haptic actuator 109. As used in thiscontext, “substantially surrounds” means largely or essentiallyextending around, without requiring perfect encircling. By contrast,FIG. 7 illustrates a haptic actuator 109 that, instead of being embeddedin the second touch-input hardware interface 130, is in direct, physicalcontact with the second touch-input hardware interface 130. In theexample configuration of FIG. 7 , then, the haptic actuator 109 iscoupled to an underside of the second touch-input hardware interface130. In other configurations, the haptic actuator 109 could be coupledto another part of the second touch-input assembly 108. These twoconfigurations (i.e. embedded within the second touch-input hardwareinterface 130 or being in direct, physical contact with the secondtouch-input hardware interface 130) each provide non-dampened, no-gapcontact between the haptic actuator 109 and the second touch-inputhardware interface 130, which transfers the mechanical force (i.e. thevibration) of the haptic actuator 109 to the input surface (i.e. wherethe user places their finger during typical use) of the secondtouch-input hardware interface 130.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7 , the second touch-inputhardware interface 130 has a contact surface area 126 of an outwardsurface of the second touch-input hardware interface 130. The outwardsurface of the second touch-input hardware interface 130 is configuredto receive touch inputs from the user and coincides with the inputsurface of the second touch-input hardware interface 130. The hapticactuator 109 has a planform area 127 in the y-axis. For the illustratedconfiguration, this planform area 127 is indicated by the dashed-linecircles 109 in FIG. 2 . (The planform area 127 is shown from the side inFIGS. 6 and 7 .) In configurations, the planform area 127 of the hapticactuator 109 is less than the contact surface area 126 of the outwardsurface of the second touch-input hardware interface 130.

In configurations, a single touch-input hardware interface may includemore than one haptic actuator 109. The haptic actuators 109 may bespaced apart to provide haptic feedback (i.e. vibrations) to differentparts of the input surface. While FIG. 2 shows an example of thetouch-input hardware interfaces each having two haptic actuators 109,other configurations could have more than two haptic actuators 109. Forexample a single touch-input hardware interface may include four hapticactuators 109 arranged at the corners of a rectangular shape. Inconfigurations having more than one haptic actuator 109 on a singletouch-input hardware interface, the haptic actuators 109 can beactivated and deactivated individually. Accordingly, the hapticactuators 109 can be turned “on” and “off” separately (including in aparticular sequence). Thus, while conventional systems either have thehaptics on or off, configurations of the disclosed technology provide arange of haptic feedback by engaging one haptic actuator 109 on atouch-input hardware interface (e.g. a bumper or trigger), multiplehaptic actuators 109 on the same touch-input hardware interfacesimultaneously, or multiple haptic actuators 109 on the same touch-inputhardware interface individually (including sequentially). Engaging thehaptic actuators 109 sequentially may provide, for example, a sense ofmovement to the user. Additionally, engaging more than one of the hapticactuators 109 at the same time may provide, for example, a sense ofstronger force to the user as compared to when fewer haptic actuators109 are engaged.

Although described with respect to the illustrated bumper, it isrecognized that the disclosed haptics technology could be applied toother types of user-accessible, touch-input hardware interfaces such as,for example, a button, an analog stick, a touchscreen, a touchpad, aknob, a slider, a switch, a wheel, a dial, a directional pad, and atrigger.

In use, the user holds the game controller in the customary way. Thattypically means holding each handle with the user's thumbs available toactivate the hardware interfaces 103, 104 (e.g., buttons, joysticks,etc.) on the front side of the handles 101, 102. The user's index ormiddle finger is typically available to activate the touch-inputhardware interfaces 129, 130 (e.g. the bumpers, triggers, etc.) at thetop edge 131 of the handle 101, 102. With the user's finger(s) restingon the touch-input hardware interface(s), in configurations having thecapacitive touch sensor 128, the capacitive touch sensor 128 woulddetect the presence of the user's finger and send a signal, eitherdirectly to the corresponding haptic actuator 109 or to anotherprocessor, to turn the haptic actuator 109 “on” so that it will vibratein response to a received electrical signal indicative of when hapticfeedback should occur during gameplay. As noted, each touch-inputhardware interface may have more than one haptic actuator 109. In suchconfigurations, the haptic actuators 109 can be controlled separately toprovide haptic feedback to the user that is more complex and immersivethan (a) the haptics provided by the mobile device itself, (b) a singlehaptic engine rigidly coupled to the housing of the game controller, or(c) a single haptic actuator 109 for the particular touch-input hardwareinterface.

Examples

Illustrative examples of the disclosed technologies are provided below.A particular configuration of the technologies may include one or more,and any combination of, the examples described below.

Example 1 includes a handheld game controller comprising: a handle; anda bumper assembly on the handle, the bumper assembly comprising: abumper configured to accept touch inputs from a user, and a hapticactuator comprising at least one plate and a piezoelectric actuatorconfigured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electricalsignal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to the atleast one plate, and cause the at least one plate and the bumper tovibrate.

Example 2 includes the handheld game controller of Example 1, in whichthe bumper assembly is configured to translate as a unit relative to thehandle.

Example 3 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples 1-2,in which the handle further comprises a housing from which the bumperprojects, and in which the bumper assembly is not rigidly coupled to thehousing.

Example 4 includes the handheld game controller of Example 3, in whichthe bumper assembly is connected to the housing through at least onespring and at least one pivot.

Example 5 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples 1-4,in which the bumper has a contact surface area of an outward surface ofthe bumper, the outward surface of the bumper being configured toreceive touch inputs from the user, the haptic actuator having aplanform area, the planform area of the haptic actuator being less thanthe contact surface area of the outward surface of the bumper.

Example 6 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples 1-5,in which the haptic actuator further includes a capacitive touch sensorconfigured to detect presence of a finger of the user on the bumper.

Example 7 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples 1-6,in which the haptic actuator does not include an eccentric rotating massor a linear resonant actuator to cause vibration.

Example 8 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples 1-7,in which the haptic actuator comprises layers, the layers including afirst plate; a second plate; and the piezoelectric actuator; thepiezoelectric actuator being between the first plate and the secondplate, the piezoelectric actuator configured to receive the electricalsignal and mechanically vibrate the first plate and the second plate inresponse to the electrical signal.

Example 9 includes the handheld game controller of Example 8, the layersof the haptic actuator further including a capacitive touch sensorconfigured to detect presence of a finger of the user on the bumper.

Example 10 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples 1-9,in which the haptic actuator is in direct, physical contact with thebumper.

Example 11 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples1-10, in which the haptic actuator is embedded in the bumper.

Example 12 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples1-11, in which the handle is a first handle, the handheld gamecontroller further comprising: a second handle; a bridge connecting thefirst handle and the second handle; a second bumper assembly on thesecond handle, the second bumper assembly comprising: a second bumperconfigured to accept touch inputs from the user, and a second hapticactuator comprising at least one plate and a piezoelectric actuatorconfigured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electricalsignal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to the atleast one plate of the second haptic actuator, and cause the at leastone plate of the second haptic actuator and the second bumper tovibrate.

Example 13 includes the handheld game controller of Example 12, in whichthe bridge is in sliding engagement with the first handle and the secondhandle, the bridge having a span extending away from the first handle,the span having a transverse midline, the midline of the bridge beingbetween the first handle and the second handle, the bridge and the firsthandle being configured for the first handle to translate in aretraction direction toward the midline of the bridge and into aretracted configuration and also to translate in an extension directionaway from the midline of the bridge into an extended configuration, thebridge and the second handle being configured for the second handle totranslate along the bridge in the retraction direction toward themidline of the bridge and into the retracted configuration and also totranslate in the extension direction away from the midline of the bridgeand into the extended configuration.

Example 14 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples1-13, further comprising a mobile device contacted and supported by thefirst handle and the second handle.

Example 15 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples1-14, in which the haptic actuator is a plurality of haptic actuators,each haptic actuator of the plurality of haptic actuators comprising atleast one plate and a piezoelectric actuator configured to receive anelectrical signal, convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion,translate the mechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause theat least one plate and the bumper to vibrate, each haptic actuator ofthe plurality of haptic actuators being separably controllable to turnoff and on independently of another haptic actuator of the plurality ofhaptic actuators.

Example 16 includes a handheld game controller comprising: a handle; anda touch-input assembly on the handle, the touch-input assemblycomprising: a touch-input hardware interface configured to accept touchinputs from a user, and a haptic actuator comprising at least one plateand a piezoelectric actuator configured to receive an electrical signal,convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion, translate themechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause the at least oneplate to vibrate.

Example 17 includes the handheld game controller of Example 16, in whichthe touch-input assembly is configured to translate as a unit relativeto the handle.

Example 18 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples16-17, in which the handle further comprises a housing from which thetouch-input hardware interface projects, and in which the touch-inputassembly is not rigidly coupled to the housing.

Example 19 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples16-18, in which the haptic actuator does not include an eccentricrotating mass or a linear resonant actuator to cause vibration.

Example 20 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples16-19, in which the haptic actuator comprises layers, the layersincluding: a first plate; a second plate; and a piezoelectric transducerbetween the first plate and the second plate, the piezoelectrictransducer configured to receive an electrical signal and mechanicallyvibrate the first plate and the second plate in response to theelectrical signal.

Example 21 includes the handheld game controller of Example 20, thelayers of the haptic actuator further including a capacitive touchsensor configured to detect presence of a finger of the user on thetouch-input hardware interface.

Example 22 includes the handheld game controller of any of Examples16-21, in which the touch-input hardware interface is selected from thegroup consisting of a button, an analog stick, a knob, a slider, aswitch, a wheel, a dial, a directional pad, and a trigger.

Aspects may operate on a particularly created hardware, on firmware,digital signal processors, or on a specially programmed general purposecomputer including a processor operating according to programmedinstructions. The terms “controller” or “processor” as used herein areintended to include microprocessors, microcomputers, ASICs, anddedicated hardware controllers. One or more aspects may be embodied incomputer-usable data and computer-executable instructions, such as inone or more program modules, executed by one or more computers(including monitoring modules), or other devices. Generally, programmodules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types when executed by a processor in a computer or otherdevice. The computer executable instructions may be stored on anon-transitory computer readable medium such as a hard disk, opticaldisk, removable storage media, solid state memory, RAM, etc. As will beappreciated by one of skill in the art, the functionality of the programmodules may be combined or distributed as desired in variousconfigurations. In addition, the functionality may be embodied in wholeor in part in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integratedcircuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and the like.Particular data structures may be used to more effectively implement oneor more aspects of the disclosed systems and methods, and such datastructures are contemplated within the scope of computer executableinstructions and computer-usable data described herein.

The previously described versions of the disclosed subject matter havemany advantages that were either described or would be apparent to aperson of ordinary skill. Even so, all of these advantages or featuresare not required in all versions of the disclosed apparatus, systems, ormethods.

Additionally, this written description makes reference to particularfeatures. It is to be understood that the disclosure in thisspecification includes all possible combinations of those particularfeatures. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in thecontext of a particular example configuration, that feature can also beused, to the extent possible, in the context of other exampleconfigurations.

Also, when reference is made in this application to a method having twoor more defined steps or operations, the defined steps or operations canbe carried out in any order or simultaneously, unless the contextexcludes those possibilities.

Furthermore, the term “comprises” and its grammatical equivalents areused in this application to mean that other components, features, steps,processes, operations, etc. are optionally present. For example, anarticle “comprising” or “which comprises” components A, B, and C cancontain only components A, B, and C, or it can contain components A, B,and C along with one or more other components.

Also, directions such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “right,” and “left”are used for convenience and in reference to the views provided infigures. But the game controller may have a number of orientations inactual use. Thus, a feature that is vertical, horizontal, to the right,or to the left in the figures may not have that same orientation ordirection in actual use.

Although specific example configurations have been described forpurposes of illustration, it will be understood that variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure.

I (or we) claim:
 1. A handheld game controller comprising: a handle; anda bumper assembly on the handle, the bumper assembly comprising: abumper configured to accept touch inputs from a user, and a hapticactuator comprising at least one plate and a piezoelectric actuatorconfigured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electricalsignal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to the atleast one plate, and cause the at least one plate and the bumper tovibrate.
 2. The handheld game controller of claim 1, in which the bumperassembly is configured to translate as a unit relative to the handle. 3.The handheld game controller of claim 1, in which the handle furthercomprises a housing from which the bumper projects, and in which thebumper assembly is not rigidly coupled to the housing.
 4. The handheldgame controller of claim 3, in which the bumper assembly is connected tothe housing through at least one spring and at least one pivot.
 5. Thehandheld game controller of claim 1, in which the bumper has a contactsurface area of an outward surface of the bumper, the outward surface ofthe bumper being configured to receive touch inputs from the user, thehaptic actuator having a planform area, the planform area of the hapticactuator being less than the contact surface area of the outward surfaceof the bumper.
 6. The handheld game controller of claim 1, in which thehaptic actuator further includes a capacitive touch sensor configured todetect presence of a finger of the user on the bumper.
 7. The handheldgame controller of claim 1, in which the haptic actuator does notinclude an eccentric rotating mass or a linear resonant actuator tocause vibration.
 8. The handheld game controller of claim 1, in whichthe haptic actuator comprises layers, the layers including a firstplate; a second plate; and the piezoelectric actuator; the piezoelectricactuator being between the first plate and the second plate, thepiezoelectric actuator configured to receive the electrical signal andmechanically vibrate the first plate and the second plate in response tothe electrical signal.
 9. The handheld game controller of claim 8, thelayers of the haptic actuator further including a capacitive touchsensor configured to detect presence of a finger of the user on thebumper.
 10. The handheld game controller of claim 1, in which the hapticactuator is in direct, physical contact with the bumper.
 11. Thehandheld game controller of claim 1, in which the haptic actuator isembedded in the bumper.
 12. The handheld game controller of claim 1, inwhich the handle is a first handle, the handheld game controller furthercomprising: a second handle; a bridge connecting the first handle andthe second handle; a second bumper assembly on the second handle, thesecond bumper assembly comprising: a second bumper configured to accepttouch inputs from the user, and a second haptic actuator comprising atleast one plate and a piezoelectric actuator configured to receive anelectrical signal, convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion,translate the mechanical motion to the at least one plate of the secondhaptic actuator, and cause the at least one plate of the second hapticactuator and the second bumper to vibrate.
 13. The handheld gamecontroller of claim 12, in which the bridge is in sliding engagementwith the first handle and the second handle, the bridge having a spanextending away from the first handle, the span having a transversemidline, the midline of the bridge being between the first handle andthe second handle, the bridge and the first handle being configured forthe first handle to translate in a retraction direction toward themidline of the bridge and into a retracted configuration and also totranslate in an extension direction away from the midline of the bridgeinto an extended configuration, the bridge and the second handle beingconfigured for the second handle to translate along the bridge in theretraction direction toward the midline of the bridge and into theretracted configuration and also to translate in the extension directionaway from the midline of the bridge and into the extended configuration.14. The handheld game controller of claim 1, further comprising a mobiledevice contacted and supported by the first handle and the secondhandle.
 15. The handheld game controller of claim 1, in which the hapticactuator is a plurality of haptic actuators, each haptic actuator of theplurality of haptic actuators comprising at least one plate and apiezoelectric actuator configured to receive an electrical signal,convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion, translate themechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause the at least oneplate and the bumper to vibrate, each haptic actuator of the pluralityof haptic actuators being separably controllable to turn off and onindependently of another haptic actuator of the plurality of hapticactuators.
 16. A handheld game controller comprising: a handle; and atouch-input assembly on the handle, the touch-input assembly comprising:a touch-input hardware interface configured to accept touch inputs froma user, and a haptic actuator comprising at least one plate and apiezoelectric actuator configured to receive an electrical signal,convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion, translate themechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause the at least oneplate to vibrate.
 17. The handheld game controller of claim 16, in whichthe touch-input assembly is configured to translate as a unit relativeto the handle.
 18. The handheld game controller of claim 16, in whichthe handle further comprises a housing from which the touch-inputhardware interface projects, and in which the touch-input assembly isnot rigidly coupled to the housing.
 19. The handheld game controller ofclaim 16, in which the haptic actuator does not include an eccentricrotating mass or a linear resonant actuator to cause vibration.
 20. Thehandheld game controller of claim 16, in which the haptic actuatorcomprises layers, the layers including: a first plate; a second plate;and a piezoelectric transducer between the first plate and the secondplate, the piezoelectric transducer configured to receive an electricalsignal and mechanically vibrate the first plate and the second plate inresponse to the electrical signal.
 21. The handheld game controller ofclaim 20, the layers of the haptic actuator further including acapacitive touch sensor configured to detect presence of a finger of theuser on the touch-input hardware interface.
 22. The handheld gamecontroller of claim 16, in which the touch-input hardware interface isselected from the group consisting of a button, an analog stick, a knob,a slider, a switch, a wheel, a dial, a directional pad, and a trigger.